United Kingdom. A Knight Bachelor’s Badge, with Case, c.1929

Instituted 1926. The Large version, in silver gilt with red enamels, presenting a sword, stirrups  and garter, reverse presents a single vertical pin, hallmarked with the British lion and marked with a leopard's head (made in London) on the obverse and on the underside of the pin, maker marked "RJ" (Robert William Jay), date marked ‘o’ indicating 1929, measures 47.3 mm (w) x 63.4 mm (h), notable enamel loss and damage, gilt intact, in very fine condition.

Contained in presentation case for a Knight’s Bachelor Badge, constructed of wood with a faux red leather exterior, the obverse lid with a gold border, the interior with a padded white satin-type lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a depressed black velvet medal bed, opening with a functional bronze spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional magnetic metal hinge, marked ROYAL MINT on the interior lid, measuring 85 mm (w) x 104 mm (l) x 30 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The honour of the Knight Bachelor dates to King Henry III (1207-1272), but it was not until April 21, 1926 that a distinctive insignia was introduced at the request of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor... and until 1998, recipients had to purchase one. The Knight Bachelor's Neck Badge (1973 to date) is awarded to those on whom Knighthood is conferred, unless as a member of one of the Orders, when the appropriate badge would be worn. It is the only insignia presented at Investiture, the other badges are private purchase items.